Goal Setting

At our workplace, it has been a common practice for most of us to set performance goals at the beginning of the year. We have also learned to set our performance goals in the form of S.M.A.R.T. goals, i.e. goals which are:

• Specific (what?)
• Measurable (how much?)
• Attainable (possible?)
• Realistic (makes sense?)
• Time-bound (by when?)

But, has it been a common practice for us to set goals for our PERSONAL life?

"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes." ~ Andrew Carnegie

"Experts on science of success know the brain is a goal-seeking organism. Whatever goal you give to your subconscious mind, it will work night and day to achieve." ~ Jack Canfield

In other words, if you want to get from where you are to where you want to be, you must apply Principle #7 - Unleash the Power of Goal-Setting.

First, you need to know the difference between a GOAL and a GOOD IDEA:

• Example of a good idea:
• I would like to own a nice home.
• Example of a goal:
• I will own a 4,000sf house by the beach at Port Dickson, by noon, May 31, 2014.

Once you have identified your goal, you need to write it out in detail, as if you're writing specifications for a work order. Be as specific, as detailed, and as vivid as you can. Once you've written down your goal, reread your goals 3 times a day, so that your subconscious mind will know what to work on.

"You want to set a goal that is big enough that in the process of achieving it you become someone worth becoming." ~ Jim Rohn

In goal setting, it is important to create breakthrough goals which:

• Stretch you and require you to grow in order to achieve them.
• Change your life and bring you new opportunities.

If you have set a stretch or breakthrough goal, it's also important to understand that 3 things are definitely going to emerge to put you to the test:

• Considerations
• These are thoughts of why you shouldn't attempt the goal, why it is impossible.
• Fears
• Feelings of rejection, failure and hurt.
• Roadblocks
• External circumstances which you need to deal with in order to move forward.

Most people somehow tend to see these 3 things - considerations, fears, and roadblocks - as a stop sign. Therefore, it is very crucial for you to accept and remind yourself that they are supposed to appear. If they don't, it means you haven't set a goal that's big enough to stretch you and grow you. And most of the time, these are the things which have been holding you back in life.

Here's a tip. I have learned from my mentor that it helps to add these 2 elements to your SMART goals to transform them into SMARTER goals:

• Exciting (motivates you)
• Rewarding (enhances your physical/mental wellbeing)

Example: I will weigh 68kg by 11pm, February 6, 2013, so that I will feel healthy and look fit physically.

Start writing your SMARTER goals now!